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emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book because Heath’s Book Club influenced me, and while I’m really glad I did, this book just had some elements that bumped it down from the 4.5 star read I thought it was at first. Firstly, this book is long, like 600 pages long, and while I loved how much yearning there was, I felt like some character dynamics were just “put off” from developing for a long time and it could easily have been 500 pages. Secondly, so many initial interactions between the two main characters kept getting “cut off” after the main part of their conversation, which meant the chapter would end and we’d never see other characters discuss or interact with said conversation, also resulting in delayed character development. This isn’t necessarily bad of course, it’s just a stylistic choice I didn’t end up loving myself. There were also a couple random topics the main character kept thinking about to the point where it felt a tad repetitive. To each their own I guess.
Now onto the things I DID really like about this book, mainly the yearning. I really love how the main character’s self development and growth was the center point of the first 1/2 of the book. There was no insta love branded as enemies to lovers, this was truly rivals to lovers with a lot of time and effort put into their dynamic. The friendships were also quite important to the storyline, which I quite liked. And this book did make me cry, AND wish I could go back to Colorado and hike again, do with that what you will. So, if you want a looong romance book with a lot of emotional self development, this is for you. I’ll for sure be checking out Mariana Zapata’s other books at least.
Now onto the things I DID really like about this book, mainly the yearning. I really love how the main character’s self development and growth was the center point of the first 1/2 of the book. There was no insta love branded as enemies to lovers, this was truly rivals to lovers with a lot of time and effort put into their dynamic. The friendships were also quite important to the storyline, which I quite liked. And this book did make me cry, AND wish I could go back to Colorado and hike again, do with that what you will. So, if you want a looong romance book with a lot of emotional self development, this is for you. I’ll for sure be checking out Mariana Zapata’s other books at least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first Mariana Zapata book I've read will definitely not be my last. This woman writes emotions so fully and so beautifully that I felt everything. I laughed, cried, got mad, and felt so many other things. All emotions in this book so extremely well written and thought out and explored and it made it possible for me to feel every single thing our main character did.
This beautifully written story was the epitome of a slow burn, grumpy sunshine and l loved every single second of it. It was so heartfelt and exactly what I needed. With the length of this book she was able to include so many tropes and did them all so well without anything feeling rushed.
Tropes: age gap; slow burn; grumpy x sunshine; single dad; he falls first; who did this to you?; unconventional family dynamic
This beautifully written story was the epitome of a slow burn, grumpy sunshine and l loved every single second of it. It was so heartfelt and exactly what I needed. With the length of this book she was able to include so many tropes and did them all so well without anything feeling rushed.
Tropes: age gap; slow burn; grumpy x sunshine; single dad; he falls first; who did this to you?; unconventional family dynamic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I loved this book. After reading Kulti, I have no idea why I waited so long to pick this one up especially since I adored Kulti so much too. But here we are.
Is this the most original plot ever? No. But do I care? Also no. The writing is great, the characters are lovable, and the romance just works. Aurora and Rhodes just work together. You know how sometimes you read a romance and think, "Yeah, these two wouldn’t last a week in the real world?" Not the case here. You can actually see them building a life together after the book ends, and I love that.
The side characters? Fantastic. The setting? Loved it. The Kulti shoutout? *scream internally*. And I really appreciate the little details likethe songwriting, the two dads, all those small subplots that didn’t really have to be there but added so much charm. The slow burn? Perfect. I’m a sucker for slow burn, and Mariana Zapata gets it. Their relationship feels adult and real, which makes it even better.
Now, let’s talk about the one thing that annoyed me: the gas station scene. That “conflict” and the anger that comes with it is ridiculous, and I hate when authors throw in unnecessary drama but fail to execute it well. If you’re going to create conflict, at least make it make sense.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book, even if I think it was a bit long for a romance novel. But Zapata officially earns a spot in my top 3 contemporary romance authors.
Is this the most original plot ever? No. But do I care? Also no. The writing is great, the characters are lovable, and the romance just works. Aurora and Rhodes just work together. You know how sometimes you read a romance and think, "Yeah, these two wouldn’t last a week in the real world?" Not the case here. You can actually see them building a life together after the book ends, and I love that.
The side characters? Fantastic. The setting? Loved it. The Kulti shoutout? *scream internally*. And I really appreciate the little details like
Now, let’s talk about the one thing that annoyed me: the gas station scene. That “conflict” and the anger that comes with it is ridiculous, and I hate when authors throw in unnecessary drama but fail to execute it well. If you’re going to create conflict, at least make it make sense.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book, even if I think it was a bit long for a romance novel. But Zapata officially earns a spot in my top 3 contemporary romance authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Stalking
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a very hit or miss relationship with Mariana Zapata. I really like slow burn romances, because I feel like too many books rush the relationship and you don't get to see it develop. Slow burn often helps with this, but does not always. For me, this was a miss. I didn't feel like I understand why the characters were starting to warm up to each other, the development of that and the relationship just didn't make sense to me. It also had a bit too many "perfect moment" things for me, where the plot was only for moving the relationship along.
I guess I can see why people like this book, but for me it just did not work.
I guess I can see why people like this book, but for me it just did not work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first book by Zapata and I really enjoyed it! I really loved Aurora and the journey she took, putting herself back together from an emotionally abusive relationship and from losing her mom when she was a child. I loved her relationship with Amos and feel that friendship with him really got her to start wiggling into Rhodes's heart. This was a super slow burn romance but I honestly think the pace worked, it didn't feel too slow and I was invested in the story as it progressed. The descriptions of the setting really helped to pull you into the story as well. There were a few beautiful discussions around grief that made me feel so seen and ripped my heart out a little but it was a cathartic kind of hurt. The epilogue and bonus content at the end just really brought everything together.
I read this via audio and while it was a single pov they had a male narrator to read the lines of dialogue for Rhodes and I thought that was a great choice. With it being such a long audiobook (17 hours) I thought it helped with the flow and pacing of the story. Highly recommend and I'm excited to read more of her backlist!
I read this via audio and while it was a single pov they had a male narrator to read the lines of dialogue for Rhodes and I thought that was a great choice. With it being such a long audiobook (17 hours) I thought it helped with the flow and pacing of the story. Highly recommend and I'm excited to read more of her backlist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a cute and cozy read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail